• Around six out of advisers have been caught out by providers’ charges
• Advisers back moves to ensure providers publish charges as transfer business boosts SIPP demand
• Momentum launches new website in response to increased SIPP demand

Around six out of 10 specialist retirement advisers admit they have been caught out by unexpected SIPP charges from providers, new research from growing pension specialist and SIPP provider Momentum Pensions shows.

Its study found 60% of advisers say their clients have been hit by surprise charges in the past year underlining the growing demand for transparency on costs from SIPP providers.

Momentum’s research found 79% of advisers would support moves by the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure providers publish their charges in a consistent manner to enable cost comparisons.

Around two out of five advisers (42%) say the Capital Adequacy rules introduced in September last year have increased charges for standard assets while 76% say they have pushed up charges for non-standard assets. Momentum research shows transfer business – and particularly defined benefit transfers – are driving SIPP business.

Momentum has launched a new web-based proposition reinforcing its commitment to ensuring SIPP clarity and simplicity providing the latest remote access functions for smart phone and tablets to ensure advisers have swift connection to industry-leading technical support and deeply knowledgeable spokespeople.

John McCreadie, Head of Sales (UK), Momentum Pensions, said: “The SIPPs market is growing strongly but the support of advisers is crucial to maintain momentum across the market.

“It is clear that advisers want total transparency over charges from providers so they can make meaningful comparisons and recommendations to clients and it is depressing that so many say they have been caught out by unexpected fees.

“Transfers into SIPPs are a major issue particularly given the defined benefit pension focus which is highlighting the need to be clear on charging as well as on investment advice. ” 

Momentum has taken a dynamic approach to the development of its SIPP range which is designed to evolve with clients as their investment requirements change, enabling investors to move between the products, free of charge, when they need to. The new range comprises of:

• Momentum Core SIPP: Standard SIPP with a panel of quality investment providers.
• Momentum Property SIPP: Designed for those who want commercial property investment with a clear fee structure.
• Momentum Advanced SIPP: Open architecture SIPP for those with more sophisticated investment needs.
• Momentum International SIPP: SIPP specifically designed for the needs of non-UK residents.

Momentum has a pedigree in the SIPP market stretching back over 20 years and is established as a top 20 provider in the UK.

The Momentum SIPP Range is administered in Sale, Manchester and is backed by a highly skilled team with extensive servicing and technical expertise, including property transactions, within the specialist pension market. 

It was the first company to offer the option of switching for free within a multi-jurisdictional proposition.

Research was conducted in February 2017 by PollRight to 107 advisers specialising in pensions planning.